Leading in Pretrial Justice

In May 1964, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy addressed the first National Conference on Bail and Criminal Justice, which was launched “to promote awareness that prevailing bail practices were unfair and that new methods had been developed for handling the problem of pretrial release in criminal cases . . "

Leading in National Standards

Standards for pretrial release were first established and published by the American Bar Association (ABA) in 1968. In 1977, the National District Attorneys’ Association (NDAA) included standards for pretrial release in its National Prosecution Standards (revised 1992).

Leading in Drug Testing

PSA was the first pretrial program in the nation to introduce onsite drug testing of defendants to supplement interview information with an accurate and objective measure of recent drug use. PSA received initial funding to implement a pilot program in 1984 from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).

Leading in Information Technology

The Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia (PSA) is among the oldest pretrial agencies in the nation. PSA’s comprehensive database houses more than 35 years of automated data and has become a trusted source for data to the region’s criminal justice partners.

Leading in Specialty Court Programs

Leading in Treatment Services

The Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia (PSA) is in the forefront for recognizing the connection between drug use and crime. By integrating supervision and treatment, PSA creates a seamless system for reasonably assuring public safety.

Leading in Program Effectiveness

Leading in Learning

In recognizing its role as a leader, the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia (PSA) is committed to making itself a learning organization. PSA focuses on both individual and organizational learning.

What PSA Does

The Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia is the Federal agency responsible for gathering information about newly arrested defendants and preparing the recommendations considered by the Court in deciding release options. We recommend the least restrictive conditions that promote public safety and return to court. Virtually no defendants currently are released on surety bonds.

PSA supervises defendants released to the community through a variety of programs that include drug treatment, mental health services and referral to a range of social services.

PSA has partnerships with various justice agencies and community organizations as a way to build our capacity for support services for defendants under pretrial supervision.

Latest News

It’s a new year indeed for PSA’s drug testing laboratory. This month, PSA took another step toward scientific excellence in moving its drug testing operations to a new location, once again establishing a state-of-the art laboratory environment poised to provide quality forensic services to the justice community. PSA’s Office of Forensic Toxicology Services relocated its main lab from 300 Indiana Avenue, NW, to 90 K Street, NE, in Washington, DC. Read more